Tank Cycling

[saltynewbie904]

So, I think my tank is cycling. I have posted my results from the past three days below.

Tank Setup 11/08/2014

Test 1 11/10/2014
Ph = 8.2 - 8.4
Ammonia = 0ppm
Nitrite = 0ppm
Nitrate = 5ppm

Test 2 11/11/2014
Ph = 8.2 - 8.4
Ammonia = 0ppm
Nitrite = 0ppm
Nitrate = 5ppm

Test 3 11/12/2014
Ph = 8.2 - 8.4
Ammonia = 0.25ppm
Nitrite = 0.50ppm
Nitrate = 40ppm

 

[Tiberione]

Patience.. Usually cycles take a few weeks , depending on your setup. But yes it looks like its starting its cycle, but since you only set it up a few days ago its not going to show any major change for a bit.

Keep us updated !

 

[gone fishin]

It looks like it has started. What did you add to start the cycle? I personally would not bother checking nitrate until the end. On some test if you have high nitrite then it will skew the nitrate test anyway.

 

[saltynewbie904]

Additive

Additive

I used Bio-Spira that the LFS gave me for free. I followed there instruction and not what was on the bottle. They recommended that I add a third of the bottle per day for three days and I did exactly that.

Also, I have a question. I have very small amounts of what looks like brown algae growing on my dead white rocks. Now, I went out and read some stuff on this and everything I have read says this occurs at the tail end of the cycling process. Is this true or to good to be true? lol!

Thanks for all the great advice in advance!

 

[gone fishin]

You said white rocks so I will assume you started with dry rock. I personally would add a source of ammonia to feed the bacteria so they will go forth and multiply. I like to bring the ammonia level up to around 4-5 ppm. I believe you would get a much better cycle and start the tank on a better foundation.

you will get some diatoms and algae showing up. I have got them during and just after the cycle. Just my 2 cents, good luck.

 

[saltynewbie904]

Live Rock

Live Rock

I have about 4-5 pounds of live rock along with the dry rock. I have included a picture, as it is worth 1000 words.

Also, I have another question. I have little anenome looking creatures growing on the live rock. They are mostly clear at the base and have tentacles with white spots on the ends. Some of them are a pinkish color as well. Are those good for the tank?

Again thanks for all the great advice and answers in advance!

 

[gone fishin]

Scratch adding ammonia to the tank. I see you have a damsel in the pic. The vast majority of people do not use a fish to cycle anymore. The cycle will most likely cause harm or even death to the fish. You want to consider removing the guy and taking him back to the LFS. Then you can add a source of ammonia to continue the cycle.

From your description of the anemone look up aiptasia and see if that is it. if so you want to get rid of them now they are a real pest.

 

[saltynewbie904]

Cleaner Shrimp

Cleaner Shrimp

If I add a cleaner shrimp to the tank, will they eat them? I read a couple posts that said they would, but I wanted to see what you guys think.

Also, will the aiptasia hurt anything?

P.S. All the damsels died the other day to lack of oxygen in the water. I added the tank heater and did not have an adequate filter to provide O2 circulation. Since then I have upgraded the filter to a Aquaeon 45gal HOB filter.

Thanks for all the great advice and information in advance!

 

[gone fishin]

cleaner shrimp will not touch them. I have had some luck with peppermint shrimp, although it is hit or miss. However IMO your nowhere near ready to add any inverts to the tank.

They are quite amazing in how fast they can spread and take over a tank. they will sting others around them to make room. Since you are cycling now I would remove the rock from the tank and hit them with a lighter, then rinse and put back in the tank.

 

[gone fishin]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074

This link is from a sticky at the top of the forum. It is full of great info.

sorry about the damsels but a cycling tank is full of instability. How big is the tank? Good surface agitation is a must for gas exchange. you may want to look into getting a powerhead to help with circulation in the tank.

 

[saltynewbie904]

Todays Test Results

Todays Test Results

Tank Setup 11/08/2014

Test 1 11/10/2014
Ph = 8.2 - 8.4
Ammonia = 0ppm
Nitrite = 0ppm
Nitrate = 5ppm

Test 2 11/11/2014
Ph = 8.2 - 8.4
Ammonia = 0ppm
Nitrite = 0ppm
Nitrate = 5ppm

Test 3 11/12/2014
Ph = 8.2 - 8.4
Ammonia = 0.25ppm
Nitrite = 0.50ppm
Nitrate = 40ppm

Test 4 11/13/2014
Ph = 8.2 - 8.4
Ammonia = 0.25
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 20ppm

 

[Zer0.]

I don't think your niteates cut in half

 

[Ron1966]

Patience in reefing is the key to a healthy tank. Do not add any LS till tank is cycled. Then only try a couple hardy fish for months. Trying to speed things up will do more harm then good.

 

[Roccus]

your readings alone show how instable your tank ( and maybe even your testing methods) is/ are...I'm an old school dude, but the "new" trend of cycling a tank with ammonia is far and away, faster, and better on the fish ( ammonia does permanent damage to gills and internal organs).... for the next 6 months to a year, your tank is going to change almost daily.. you are going to go through stages of instability.... you are going to have "fights" with algae and bacteria.. before it settles up on the final permanent algae.. and only then if your parameters are good ( you will be testing for other compounds to keep the tank stable).. you must proceed slowly or you will be setting yourself up for disappointment and frustration.. you will know when your tank has cycled because the reading will be the same day after day for at least a week...listen to what people are telling you... every one of us here have been there...I've only been keeping salt water ( reef) for 9 months ( but have been keeping ponds and fresh water tanks for over 50 years) so what I'm telling you is fresh on my mind... I spent a year studying and preparing for the day I would start my first salt water tank.. something I had put off due to family and work obligations taking the time ( and money) I thought I would need... I have 6 fresh water tanks... I DO %20 water changes on them weekly and spend less than 3 hours of mainteneance on them weekly and they are pristine... I spend 1 -1/2 hours a DAY on feedings, maintenance and just observing on my 75 gallon reef tank ... reef/ salt water tanks require a lot of care if you want them to succeed,.... especially in the beginning....I know you are excited and can't wait the get things going... but I promise you.. go slow.. be patient and you'll enjoy the experience a lot more... your troubles will be few.. and your mistakes will be fewer... it may seem that folks here are harsh or overly critical.. they are not.. they want to help but we have seen this so, so many times.. just read through the threads in this forum alone and you will see what I'm talking about... good luck.. ask questions....look before you leap.. read before you buy.. this web site has more information than you could process in a life time... read.. enjoy and relax.. some day you'll be the one giving advise...

 

[saltynewbie904]

Test 5

Test 5

Tank Setup 11/08/2014

Test 1 11/10/2014
Ph = 8.2 - 8.4
Ammonia = 0ppm
Nitrite = 0ppm
Nitrate = 5ppm

Test 2 11/11/2014
Ph = 8.2 - 8.4
Ammonia = 0ppm
Nitrite = 0ppm
Nitrate = 5ppm

Test 3 11/12/2014
Ph = 8.2 - 8.4
Ammonia = 0.25ppm
Nitrite = 0.50ppm
Nitrate = 40ppm

Test 4 11/13/2014
Ph = 8.2 - 8.4
Ammonia = 0.25
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 20ppm

Test 5 11/13/2014
Ph = 8.2 - 8.4
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 10ppm

 

[tilo]

[Post removed - lets have a little bit of tact, ok? -RC Staff]

 

[Tiberione]

[Post removed - lets have a little bit of tact, ok?]

Could just be me but that was a bit rude.. A lot of us have gone though this stage of what to do during cycle.. Excited to be in the hobby. Not all of us go through this but a lot do.. The guy is just asking questions.. Why exactly is he setting up for failure... He didn't put the nems in there..

Be considerate before you post..

 

[gone fishin]

No, not you it was rude.

 

[Tiberione]

As for OP, just test your water maybe once a week.. Its not going to cycle overnight, test weekly until you've hit 0ppm of nitrates.. Then test daily for a week. No changes? Every other day? If things are stable then add some hardy fish.. A lot of people put clownfish in.. Damsels are hardy but they're jerks in the long run.. Reef chromis are good too.. A good rule is only double your livestock monthly.. Adjust your maintenance accordingly.. Inverts like snails and hermits should be okay if you're looking at those , once your params have settled..

Its probably going to take 6 weeks or so to cycle. I know how hard it is to watch an empty tank but as long as you have ammonia in there your bacteria colony will grow..

Small edit. Just wanna say checking your levels multiple times a day is just going to make your wait harder lol

 

[Teenreefer15]

did you look into seachem stability before starting the tank?